Intel Discontinues Top 130nm Microprocessors

@ 2004/11/22

Intel Corp. on Friday said it would discontinue its high-end desktop Intel Pentium 4 processors made using 0.13 micron process technology as a part of the company’s shift to 90nm products aimed at desktop market.

The list of Intel’s desktop products which will not be supplied in any versions after the 17th of June, 2005, include Intel Pentium 4 processors at 2.80GHz, 3.00GHz, 3.20GHz and 3.40GHz with 800MHz processor system bus and 512KB of L2 cache. The chips are intended for Socket 478 infrastructure and are still likely to make a significant contribution to Intel’s sales.

Intel will gradually limit the orders on the mentioned chips throughout the first quarter of next year, according to the document the Santa Clara, California-based chipmaker sent to its partners.

Earlier this year Intel said it would discontinue Intel Pentium 4 chips 2.40GHz, 2.60GHz for 800MHz 478-pin infrastructure.

Intel this year introduced a broad family of microprocessors made using 90nm process technology that are able to replace the 130nm offerings; the 90nm chips are said to be a bit less expensive to make compared to products fabricated at thicker manufacturing technology. Intel said in mid-May, 2004, that shipments of its 90nm Pentium 4 chips had increased 1 million units per week by late April, which is on-track with the company’s expectations to ramp up volume production of its 90nm products in shortest time possible. Intel’s continuing withdrawal of chips produced using 0.13 micron process technology may mean that the company is on track with its plans of 90nm ramp.